The Trent Rockets secured a comfortable eight‑wicket win over the Welsh Fire in Cardiff, marking their second triumph in this season's Women's Hundred competition. Central to the Rockets' chase was a scintillating 57 runs off just 35 deliveries from Australian wicket‑keeper‑batter Beth Mooney, which set the platform for a successful pursuit of the target of 130 runs.
The Fire, after a disciplined spell of bowling, were restricted to 129 for 3 after completing their allotted 100 balls. Mooney opened the innings alongside England’s promising all‑rounder Sophia Dunkley, who contributed a brisk 15 off 17 balls. The opening partnership blossomed into a 75‑run stand before Mooney reached her half‑century in a rapid 27 balls, with Nat Sciver‑Brunt joining her at the crease. Mooney’s innings was eventually curtailed by England bowler Em Arlott, but the momentum she generated allowed Sciver‑Brunt to take over.
The English captain added a quick‑fire 37 not out from 23 balls, guiding the Rockets home with Ash Gardner’s 10 not out off 9 balls, and they finished the chase with 17 balls to spare. The Fire’s innings faltered early when openers Georgia Voll (18) and Ella McCaughan (6) were dismissed within the first nine balls, leaving the side reeling at 28 for 2 after just 41 deliveries. Freya Kemp attempted a revival, smashing four fours for an unbeaten 36 off 29 balls, while captain Sophie Devine contributed 38 off 25 balls, including two fours and two sixes.
Despite their efforts, the Fire could not recover sufficiently and suffered a second defeat of the campaign. In a separate match that captured the imagination of the crowd, MI London and London Spirit produced an extraordinary tie on a scorching afternoon in the capital, both sides finishing on an identical total of 151 runs. The dead‑heat leaves MI London still searching for their first win of the tournament; with only two points from four games, their hopes of progressing to the knockout stages are precarious.
MI London appeared poised to dominate for much of the innings. Kiwi star Melie Kerr opened aggressively, carving out an unbeaten 49 from 32 balls. The innings truly accelerated in the final quarter when Jamaican batter Chinelle Henry unleashed a blistering 33 runs from just 12 balls, forming a 55‑run partnership with Kerr in only 23 deliveries.
Henry’s explosive cameo included a remarkable 16 runs off the last three balls bowled by Nadine de Klerk, propelling MI London to the final score of 151. The chase for London Spirit began brightly when Henry’s early strike induced a leading edge from Grace Harris, putting the Spirit in a strong position.
However, the Spirit responded in kind. Marie Kelly displayed her usual fluency, compiling a composed 45 off 25 balls, which set the stage for South African all‑rounder Marizanne Kapp. Kapp contributed a quick 25 in a 51‑run partnership with England’s Amy Jones, who anchored the innings with steady accumulation.
Kapp’s dismissal, caught off the off‑spin of Hayley Matthews, threatened to derail the chase, but Jones continued to fight, needing 27 runs from the final 22 balls. Jones attempted a hard‑hit sweep that was caught by Nicola Carey at deep square leg, a reminder of Carey’s reputation as one of the premier fielders in the game. With five balls remaining, the Spirit required nine runs to win.
Matthews, bowling to fellow Barbadian Deandra Dottin, delivered a crucial over: Dottin struck the first ball for four and the second ball straight to extra cover. De Klerk then dismissed Kerr at deep mid‑wicket, leaving Dottin needing three runs off the final delivery. Demonstrating composure under pressure, Dottin struck a leg‑side boundary, securing the tie and keeping her side’s tournament hopes alive by the slimmest of margins. Both matches highlighted the unpredictable excitement of The Hundred, where individual brilliance and rapid shifts in momentum can dramatically alter outcomes.
Mooney’s aggressive yet controlled innings exemplified the modern approach to limited‑overs batting, while the MI London‑Spirit tie underscored how a single over can swing the balance between victory and a dead‑heat. Post‑match reflections added further insight.
Mooney, speaking to Sky Sports Cricket, praised her teammates: "It was a good, all‑round performance from everyone – 130 was probably about par but one big partnership was going to win that game, and it did in the end. When you're chasing a total like that, it's pretty good to break the back of the chase as early as you can and thankfully we did that." Meanwhile, Spirit’s Marie Kelly described the tension of the tie: "I was so nervous sitting on the side, not being able to do anything about it. I feel a bit flat that we've tied that one. We were in a great position at one stage but they pulled it back really well.
It's a strange feeling." Looking ahead, the Southern Brave will host Birmingham Phoenix on Thursday, with the women's match scheduled for 3 pm and the men's fixture to follow at 6:30 pm, both broadcast live on Sky Sports. Fans can continue to follow The Hundred and enjoy additional content on NOW, which offers contract‑free streaming of matches, latest tables, squad announcements for 2026, and a host of video highlights. Overall, the weekend’s action reinforced why The Hundred remains a showcase of innovative cricket, where power‑hitting, strategic partnerships, and nail‑biting finishes keep audiences engaged and teams constantly adapting to the fast‑paced demands of the format.